If your email inboxes look anything like mine, I’m sure that three out of every four subject lines includes something about COVID-19. There are the practical emails: “Don’t worry, your bank is still there for you!” The cautious warnings: “I’ve got a bunch of new statistics here that say watch out, we’re in this for the long haul and here’s what we need to do!” And, of course, the optimistic, silver lining messages: “Hey, but isn’t it great that we can still have virtual happy hour together!?”

Each of these messages we’re hearing today has its place. But I would like to add one more: the missionary message.

Day after day, as we continue to quarantine and stay at home, our world is realizing the value of community more than ever. As Marianists, we know the value of community. Many of us have continued to benefit from our close community relationships in these past weeks even when physically gathering hasn’t been possible. But let us also remember that we are a missionary people. We are called to intentionally build community among ourselves and among others in this world.

Remembering our missionary calling, I would like to take this time to ask us to reflect on two questions. First, a personal question: Who among my family, friends, and community members might really be socially deprived right now and in need of love and connectivity? And second, a question for your community: How can we, as Marianists, help build community in our world at this time, especially for those who might be especially disadvantaged and in need?

And finally, let us answer these questions in an Easter spirit. After all, Easter
is coming! Resurrection
is coming! Among all the chaos, concern, and disarray of our present time, let us practice resurrection. Let us live our charism and help build the spirit of community our world so desperately needs. Let us be missionaries, even now. Especially now.

Many blessings,

Rob Brodrick

At-Large

2020 Lay Assembly Postponed

After prayerful discernment and dialogue with many involved partners, the MLC-NA Leadership Team and the Assembly Planning Committee have decided to officially postpone the 2020 Lay Assembly in San Antonio. We are saddened by this decision but feel it is in the best interest of our gathering and the health and safety of our Marianist Family.

We are very hopeful that we will be able to postpone this Lay Assembly to the summer of 2021 and we have already been in contact with St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Please stay tuned for more details and official dates for the rescheduling of the Assembly! We would also like to ask you to hold Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th open as the Assembly Planning Committee is exploring options for gathering virtually in some way in lieu of the planned face-to-face gathering. If you are a confirmed workshop presenter or you already registered for the 2020 Assembly, please be on the lookout for an email from one of our Assembly Team Members to assist you with next steps.

Please watch this announcement videoto hear more from one of our Assembly Planning Committee Co-Chairs, Katie Gushoney. Stay safe wherever you are and know that we look forward to emerging from this crisis and gathering with you all again!

World Council of the Marianist Family Document: Please Read and Share Your Thoughts!

Your copy TheWorld Council of the Marianist Family--which is comprised of the leaders of each of the branches of the Marianist Family--have released a document reflecting on the Marianist Family as a Charismatic Family in the Church. They are asking for members of each of the branches to reflect on this document individually and in community and share their feedback with the World Council.

You can access the World Council's documenthereand the reflection questions accompanying ithere.

Easter Letter from the International Organization of Lay Marianist Communities

But this Easter of 2020 the whole world is going through a time of great desolation, fear, suffering and helplessness. The pandemic makes us feel fragile and vulnerable. To all of us, everywhere. It has hit us all. But most cruelly on the weakest and most defenseless. It has left us stunned. The globalized world—it has come to a global halt.

One of the unique vocations within the Marianist Family is the "State of Religious Living in the World' with lay people taking a vow of stability to continue to live according to the Marianist charism. For short, it is called a State Commitment. The Visitation Marianist State Community has developed an educational/formational program for those wanting to learn more about a State Commitment and about the Vow of Stability such a commitment entails. The program is available for groups of individuals or for existing Marianist Lay Communities and can be delivered in-person or virtually. For more information, please contact Jim Vogt, jimvogt2@yahoo.com, Linda Zappacosta, zapp333@verizon.net,or George Lisjak, glisjak1@udayton.edu.

Invitation to Spirit of Saragossa Retreat

The Marianist Province of the U.S. is pleased to invite you, our cherished Lay Marianists, to join your Marianist Brothers and Sisters for a unique retreat experience!

The Spirit of Saragossa Retreat is a silent, directed retreat for Marianist laity and religious who seek to confirm and strengthen their commitment to living the Marianist charism.'

The retreat will be held from Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2020 till noon on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at beautiful St. Meinrad Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center in St. Meinrad, Indiana.

Contributions can also be sent to the address at the bottom of this newsletter.

Reflections on Marian/Marianist Feast Days

Throughout this liturgical year, reflections will be provided to heighten awareness of those feasts holding special significance for the Marianist Family and to allow for more focused reflection on the meaning of those days. The reflections are available at Reflections on Marian/Marianist Feast Days. Thanks to Shannon Kaschak for sharing a reflection on the Feast of the Annunciation during March.

We invite volunteers to sign up to provide a reflection for one or more of the dates via this link - Marianist/Marian Feast Days - or contact LeeAnn Meyer, at leeann.meyer@mlc-na.org with a request for a specific date or to be assigned one of the feast days.

Details regarding length and due date to meet publication deadlines will be shared with those who volunteer.

Marianist Feast Days

April 8

April 12

April 15

April 28

Birthday of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Easter Sunday

Blessed Damien of Molokai

St. Louis de Montfort

See more information and prayers for all these Marianist Feast Days here.

April 12

Easter Sunday

Prayer of Courage

Lord, you have written the story that exists outside of time.

The story that tells of the joys and hopes of a people.

That tells of the pains and losses.

Yours is a story of endurance and strength.

Across the universe,

from age to age,

Throughout all generations,

your words have brought life.

Where am I to be in this story, Lord?

Oh mighty author of salvation, to whom shall I listen?

Oh peaceful crafter of the stars, to where shall I travel?

Oh loving giver of good things, how shall I share my inheritance?

I am weak, but you are strong.

I am small, but you are mighty.

I am one, but you are infinite.

Grant me the courage to participate in the story you are writing.

To follow you more closely, though the world tells me differently.

To obey your commands though I am afraid,

To part the seas before me, though they are raging

To love you, even when the mountains are shaken

To come to the waters, even when I have no money,

To rejoice in you, even when we are in a foreign land,

To live as your people, always.

Grant me the courage to die in you and be reborn in you.

Grant me the courage to seek you and to tell others of your Glory.

University of Dayton Campus Ministry

Glory in the Cross

Prayer Intentions

Lord, increase our faith…..

In a special way, we pray that those who are suffering from physical, mental, or spiritual struggles, due to the global pandemic we are facing, be blessed through the intercession of Mary, our mother.

For those who have lost their loved ones, may we be with them in their sorrow and together seekways to comfort, even from a distance.

As we ask Venerable Marie Therese’s intercession for the healthcare workers, first responders, and all those dedicating their lives to caring for others. May her witness to the vulnerable give us encouragement to continue persevering in prayer and action.

That as we end this Lenten season, our hearts may know the depth of God’s love for us through the gift of his Son, Jesus.

That we, as Mary showed and lived for us, remain when it is most challenging and painful, knowing that God is with us.

Lord, send us your gift of hope….

that Mary’s example of contemplation and reflection gives us a model for listening more deeply to one another.

as we hold in prayer those who are enduring pain and suffering because of their faith, their race, or their differing views. May God’s healing embrace give them strength for their journey and comfort in their suffering.

for those suffering or in need of healing, may we wrap them in our arms of comfort and walk by their side in love.

as we pray for our departed Marianist Brothers and Sisters and Marianist family members who have enriched our lives through their presence. In a special way, we pray for Fr. Dave Fleming (Mar. 12). May he be held in God’s loving embrace as he joins the fellowship of saints.

Thank you to all who have visited our web form - we have hundreds of updated records.

If you haven't updated your information, please take a few moments to fill out this brief questionnaire (it's a Google form). Each member of a family should register separately so we have individual emails for future elections, etc.

Please also encourage your community members to keep their information current. Individuals may follow the link or a community rep can send us a community roster.